JOYWO, Intel partner to provide Digital Literacy to 1 million women in Kenya

Deputy President William Ruto today unveiled a new partnership between Intel Corporation and  Joyful Women organization (JOYWO) that will see 1 Million women trained in digital literacy by 2020. The training which will be spearheaded through the Intel® She Will Connect program aims to bridge the technology- gender gap in Africa.

Already, Intel has trained JOYWO trainers on the Intel® She Will Connect digital literacy curriculum and equipped them with technology devices to enable them carry out face to face training with women and girls across the country.

Started in 2009 by Her Excellency Mrs. Rachael Ruto, JOYWO is Non-Governmental organisation that seeks to empower women economically and socially.

The training will see the women learn how to safely use the Internet, engage online, apply technology in their businesses and in turn gain a wealth of information that will build and grow them.

Announcing the collaboration, Intel Corporation’s General Manager for East Africa Mr. Danie Steyn said Intel aims to empower women to leverage the internet and technology to pursue their goals, while providing them with an opportunity to learn, connect and share online.

“We believe that empowering women will give them an opportunity to positively impact their communities.” said Mr. Steyn.  “Collaborating with JOYWO will allow us a unique opportunity to tap into their extensive network, reach more women across Kenya and eventually augment our efforts to bridge the internet gender gap.”

Commenting on the launch, the Deputy President said the government is proactively working with the private sector to engrain the use Information and Communications Technology (ICT) so as to boost productivity and positively grow the country’s economy.

“We are excited to be collaborating with Intel Corporation as both organizations have a mutual interest of empowering women in Kenya. I believe empowering women will go a long way in unlocking the potential of our country to achieve sustainable economic growth.  We are focused on providing an opportunity to women and girls to explore creative ways of making a living,”  Mrs. Ruto said.

The collaboration with JoyWo will see the training rolled out in 47 counties with members of JoyWo benefiting directly from the program. According to Mr.Steyn, closing the Internet gender gap will have an important multiplier effect to the African economy as it will expand opportunities for families, communities, and nations.

Intel® She Will Connect was introduced as a direct response to findings of the Women and the Web Report, which examined women’s access to and use of the Internet in low and middle income countries. The Report found that, on average, there are nearly 25% fewer women than men are online in developing countries. This represents 200 million fewer women than men online today. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the size of the gap is 43%— the largest across all the regions in the study.

The program has so far reached over 800,000 women and girls in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa.